The nation’s communications regulatory body has announced comprehensive measures to strengthen protection of private information on Internet sites.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said Tuesday that it will introduce laws by the year’s end to strictly restrict the collection and use of private information.

Under the proposed laws, business operators are required to obtain the consent of individuals when collecting their private information and to notify victims immediately of private information leaks.

The KCC also plans to amend related laws requiring Web site operators to closely monitor illegal trading of copyrighted material and punish portal operators that do not immediately respond to reported victims of defamation through online comments.